Kukla Vera is the Director of External Affairs at the Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics at the University of Southern California. As director, Ms. Vera leads a team of communications, events and development staff to promote the research of the Center to policy makers, media, academia and the public. She is responsible for the development and implementation of an overall communications strategy that ensures optimal dissemination of the Center’s research to pivotal audience groups using diverse media platforms.

Prior to joining the Center, Ms. Vera served as the Senior Director of Communications at the USC School of Pharmacy for ten years. Ms. Vera is a seasoned communications professional with an extensive background in public relations and marketing, having led a range of projects including co-producing health series for the NBC Today Show, producing multiple press kits for ABC and Fox, and directing national consumer health campaigns meeting the objectives of both corporate and non-profit sponsors. Ms. Vera is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, with a BA in English and Communications (double major).